Page 11 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, June 2021

10 High Desert Warrior www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin High Desert Warrior 11
June 2021
June 2021
Community News

Fort Irwin’s Operation Deploy Your Dress celebrating 5 years with special o er

By Janell J. Lewis Ford Whether someone needs a dress for June’s AUSA Corner

NTC/Fort Irwin Public A airs an upcoming ball, prom, or just because,

the organization is willing to assist. The Association of the U.S. Army Notes become the Army Reserve’s first Black three- to safety, despite his own injuries.
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Operation

Deploy Your Dress is celebrating its “Later in the year when all of the 1. National Army Museum reopens June 14 star offi cer. Previously the Army Reserve Now 94, Puckett already is one of the na-
Command’s deputy commanding general, tion’s most highly decorated combat veterans,
fth year with a grand re-opening and a military balls start to pop back up on the The National Museum of the United

special treat for guests. calendar, we can coordinate co ees and States Army, located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the grandson of a World War I Bu alo Sol- with two Distinguished Service Crosses and
On May 22, the shop opened to special events for the units, so they can will reopen on June 14, the Army’s 256th dier has a new assignment as U.S. Northern two Silver Stars, ve Purple Hearts and two
guests after being closed for more than come shop together again,” Glenz said. birthday. Command’s deputy commander. Bronze Stars with the V device. A date has
a year due to COVID-19. Fort Irwin’s ODYD location is in The 185,000-square foot museum first Roper says his promotion shows progress not been set for one of those Distinguished

“We are just so excited to be open Bldg. 286 on C Avenue—the same opened on Veterans Day 2020 but was forced in the U.S. since his grandfather deployed Service Crosses to be elevated to the Medal
and see you all again,” said Ashley Glenz, building as the Military and Civilian to close a little more than a month later be- to France in a segregated unit, “but it is not of Honor.
ODYD chair. Spouses’ Club. cause of COVID-19 concerns. e museum enough to be the fi rst African American 4. Marshal Curley

Operation Deploy Your Dress is an Some basic info about ODYD: has held regular virtual events and eld trips three-star general in the Army Reserve, if e U.S. Supreme Court has chosen Col.

opportunity for military identi cation • Patrons receive one, free dress and during its closure. there is not a second and third.” Gail Curley as its chief security o cer. e
card holders to get one, complimentary accessory per year. (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31; Two e museum is the rst and only one to 3. Belated Honor 11th marshal of the Supreme Court and the

dress and accessory during the calendar dresses for 2021) tell the complete history of the U.S. Army Retired Col. Ralph Puckett was noti ed second woman appointed to the post, the Army after 30 years of commissioned service.
year. Accessories include shoes, jewelry, • Exchanges are no longer allowed and its soldiers, as well as honoring their in April that he’ll be receiving the Medal of judge advocate general will be in charge of se- 5. Power Surge
purses, etc. • Patrons must be Active Duty, Re- accomplishments and sacri ces. For tick- Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor, curity during sessions. She also will maintain In a push to eld electric-powered combat

“In 2021, we have a special year,” ets: https://info.ausa.org/e/784783/2021- for the heroism the then-first lieutenant order and decorum during court proceedings, vehicles, the Army is giving $100,000 each
Glenz said. “Because it’s a fth anniver- tired, or a Dependent and present ID 05-18/82bm8/479300171?h=804TS- showed 70 years ago while serving as a Ranger serve and execute legal orders, and disburse to six technology companies to work on de-
sary, we’re giving out two dresses.” at the shop w1W1BUc3AunkzaHAB0qZ5FTR18a9- company commander during the Korean War funds for various projects. sign concepts to power vehicles and supply
ODYD began with ve women doing • Openings are kid free R1Jv7rqQ battle of Chongchon River. His men and Curley, who since 2019 has been chief of electricity in remote outposts. Di erent than
a pop-up dress swap event at Fort Bliss, • The organization is also always look- 2. Not Enough South Korean soldiers withstood repeated the Army’s National Security Law Division, electric passenger vehicles, combat versions
Texas in 2015. It became popular and ing for dress donations Lt. Gen. A.C. Roper, a Birmingham, Chinese attacks, but the wounded o cer led is expected to begin the Supreme Court job must be tougher, easy to maintain and easy
developed into a boutique on post, then https://www.facebook.com/FortIr- Alabama, native and retired police chief, has his men across an open eld under heavy re on June 21 following her retirement from the to fi x in the fi eld.
developed into what is now 11 shops winODYD
across the world. odyd@mcscftirwin.org
From WARRIOR, Page 1
“During the three-day competition, these the board process. I can’t be more honored to was awarded the Army Commendation Medal
warriors were challenged at every possible present the awards to you.” from Taylor.

level,” said Master Sgt. Ericka Perez. e competition kicked o with the soldiers “I am beyond humbled to be this year’s
Each unit on Fort Irwin hand-selected a sol- taking the new Army Combat Fitness Test winner and represent this installation now

dier, as well as a non-commissioned o cer to (ACFT), followed by a written examination facing bigger fi sh throughout the entire Army,”
compete in this year’s competition. Spc. Rudy and an oral board. Events also included a ruck Sha er said. “What people don’t see are the

Garcia and Sgt. Erika Elton represented U.S. march, ri e, and pistol testing, a land and late nights we’ve spent studying the endless
Army Garrison Fort Irwin; Private 1st Class night navigation exam, and a mystery exam information on ADPs, making sure our ASUs

Todd Scha er Jr. and Sta Sgt. Jose Robles which encompassed a chemical attack in which are clean and pressed and correctly measured

represented the 11th Armored Cavalry Regi- the competitors had to put on their Mission to the T, early morning PT (physical training)

ment; Staff Sgt. Anthony Paige and Spc. Vong Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) Gear. on your own before your unit even does PT
Kongkeo represented Weed Army Community “I had the opportunity to interject myself a to set yourself apart.”

Hospital; Sgt. Kevin Segur and Spc. Brandoon few times during the competition,” said NTC e NCO of the Year for the National
Steed represented Operations Group and Sta Command Sgt. Maj. William Justice. “Dur- Training Center and Fort Irwin was awarded
Sgt. Asheil Allen and Spc. Cirilo Rodriguez ing the foot march they walked me into the to Staff Sgt. Asheil Allen, who was also awarded
represented the 916th Support Brigade. In ground badly, and then I got to go out and the Army Commendation Medal.
total 10 soldiers competed in the multi-day watch them at the nighttime navigation exam. “I am extremely humbled to have won this
competition. What I can tell you is that these candidates year’s competition,” said. Allen. “Being selected
“I am tremendously impressed by the great absolutely killed it— they were fantastic. ey as the NCO of the year was an unbelievable
sergeants and future sergeants sitting here to- operated under di cult conditions— these feeling. Even with all the preparation and hard
day,” said Brig. Gen. Curtis Taylor, Command- NCOs and soldiers never quit and pushed it work, there was still the feeling of doubt.”
ing General of the National Training Center. through the end.” Allen’s message to future competitors is
“Each one of the soldiers has been tested in e winner of the Soldier of the Year Cat- simple: “Push yourself to the limit and stay de-

every manner, physical, mental, and through egory was Private 1st Class Todd Sha er and termined,” she said. “In the end it will pay o .”
Fort Irwin Celebrates
Nurses Week

National Nurses’ Week occurs every year starting May 6,
2021, and ending May 12, 2021, with the anniversary of Flor-
ence Nightingale’s birthday — the founder of modern nursing.

is year, National Nurses’ Week trails behind the one-year
mark of COVID-19 operations and has many nurses re ecting

on their experiences during the pandemic. We appreciate all of
our nurses at Weed Army Community Hospital, within Fort
Irwin and across the country.

For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin